Degeneration of the Spinal Cord and Cerebellum (Spinocerebellar Degeneration)

Spinocerebellar Degeneration is a group of hereditary diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration of cells in the spinal cord and cerebellum.

Main symptoms:

1. Spasticity of the limbs - increased muscle tone, cramps, impaired coordination of movements.

2. Cerebellar ataxia - imbalance, instability when walking, tremor of the limbs, dysarthria.

3. Autonomic disorders - tachycardia, hypotension, constipation.

Causes of the disease:

1. Mutations in genes encoding proteins responsible for the normal functioning and survival of cells in the spinal cord and cerebellum.

2. The most common mutations are in the genes SPAST, ATXN7, TTPA, KCNC3, etc.

Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture, MRI data of the brain and spinal cord, and genetic testing.

Treatment is mainly symptomatic and supportive. The prognosis depends on the form of the disease, usually unfavorable.

Degeneration of the spinal cord and cerebellum is a hereditary lesion of brain structures that manifests itself in a number of neurological disorders, for example, damage to the corticospinal tract of the brain and distal parts of the limbs. As a result, the process of coordinating muscle contractions is disrupted, which can lead to irreversible consequences: muscle weakness, decreased motor activity and impaired walking due to the inability to control one’s posture when moving. But this is not a death sentence; with this type of disease, improvement is possible, especially if treatment is started in the early stages.

The main manifestation of diseases of the spinal and cerebellar region is cerebellar ataxia, as well as chronic spasticity of the muscles of the limbs. Manifestations of abnormalities in the cerebral supply of the vascular-pontine area can be variable, but most often it includes neurodegeneration of the cerebral part of the sympathetic system and is manifested by the following syndromes:

- Millard-Gaye syndrome, as well as Hancock-Adams - Pseudohypertrophic myopathy of the spinal cerebral tuberosities - Cerebellar ataxia - Jakins-Hachkes syndrome - Epileptic encephalomyelitis - Other These include: weakness of grasping reflexes of the upper extremities, increased spontaneous twitching of the hand, mainly in the morning . Weakness of the arm, which is accompanied by speech impairment (dysarthria), grimacing pupils, their dilation while awake, muscle contractures. Due to the variability of neurological symptoms, the success of identifying the disease depends on the experience and competence of a neurologist or specialized neuropathologist. During the examination, an objective, neurological, EEG study is required. Laboratory diagnostics also involves the analysis of biochemical studies to detect enzyme markers characteristic of a particular form of the disease. The main rehabilitation tactics should be the use of a set of restorative measures aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease and normalizing metabolic processes in the tissues of the spinal cord, cerebellum and other parts. It is also advisable to carry out symptomatic therapy to improve the general condition and functioning of various organs and systems of the patient’s body. Treatment is carried out by incorporating some of the most effective methods: 1. **Massage** This is one of the main methods of restoring dysfunction of motor, vascular nerves that cannot function independently. In addition, massage improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, normalizes muscle tone and flexibility, and reduces spasticity and other indicators of inflammation. 2. **Therapeutic exercise** Currently, exercise therapy is one of the effective approaches to the recovery of patients with degenerative diseases through physical activity and agility exercises. For older people with diabetes and signs of anxiety disorder, physical exercise may be contraindicated, so only therapeutic exercises are recommended for them. 3. **Drug therapy** Therapeutic benefits include blocking the progression of pathological processes, reducing the tone of flaccid muscles of the limbs, improving blood and lymph circulation in the affected

Spinocerebellar degeneration is an inherited disorder that affects the cerebellum (the part of the brain that controls movement) and the motor pathways in the brain. This disease manifests itself in the form of spasticity of the limbs and cerebellar attaxis - instability of the body, imbalance and coordination of movements.

Degeneration of the cerebellum and spinal cord is a form of degenerative disease of the nervous system. It can be inherited in an autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant manner. Symptoms of this disease appear in childhood and progress throughout life. In some cases, there may be loss of coordination and imbalance. However, there are cases when symptoms appear later in life, and then